As we continue now in chapter 14, we see at the midpoint of the seven year Tribulation (which is the beginning of the Great Tribulation), that three angels carry messages for those on the earth. These are very important, and somewhat unique, messages that these angels carry. These messages, as we will see, provide great promises and warnings to those who inhabit the earth.
The First Angel
Revelation 14:6-7 – And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
This angel has the everlasting gospel. This is the same gospel that we preach today because there is only one gospel. The gospel that this angel has has only one difference…the angel proclaims that the hour of God’s judgment has come. We now can only honestly say that it is coming soon. We declare that God will judge the world at some point, and to those who don’t believe it seems an empty “threat”. At this point, those on the earth will have seen: millions of people vanish into thin air, 14 judgments 7 of which are visibly supernatural, 2 supernatural witnesses preach for 3 ½ years only be killed and then resurrected, and a man come to world dominance and be killed and resurrected. You would think the entire world would already believe the everlasting gospel, but they don’t. They will not heed the message of this angel, and they will worship the Antichrist. That the angel will declare the gospel to them that dwell on the earth shows that this angel will definitely be heard on the earth and even probably seen. Now, is there something unusual about what is happening here? Yes! It has always been man’s job to declare the gospel, not angels. Nowhere in Scripture will you find angels being sent to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. That has been the call of man. We are called to preach the gospel to all nations, and the Holy Spirit reveals the truth to the hearts of those nations. Angels are never seen in that process. Why now? Why would God after 2000 years suddenly send an angel to declare the gospel? This shows the desperation of the times. God is not willing that any should perish but that all would come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). During the first 3 ½ years, we saw with the fifth trumpet judgment that a great persecution started against the Tribulation Saints. Now, the Antichrist is in full control with the False Prophet forcing everyone to take the mark and worship the image of Antichrist. If you are caught without the mark and refuse it, you will be beheaded. The people of this time will be underground and refuse to take the mark and will not be readily able to preach the gospel. Because God is willing that no one should perish, He uses an alternate means to reach as many will accept. That is why this angel is declaring the gospel in man’s place. He also declares the gospel to the whole world. Some think that this shows a worldwide language, but I don’t think there will be enough time to establish that. I believe that God will allow all man to understand this angel in their own tongue no matter what language he speaks. With the gospel, as always, He calls the world to worship God and God alone. Many, though, will have already bowed a knee to Antichrist and taken his mark…condemning them for all of eternity. Even after this angel declares the gospel, many more will follow others into destruction.
The Second Angel
Revelation 14:8 – And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
This second angel is declaring the fall of Babylon. As we will see in chapters 17 & 18, there are two Babylon’s described in Scripture known as “Babylon the Great”. One is the literal city of Babylon that will be rebuilt by Antichrist and made the capital of the world. The other is the “great whore” or “Mystery Babylon” which is the one world religion that dominates the beast in the first half of the Tribulation. This declaration seems to be of the fall of the religious Babylon of the first half of the Tribulation because the timing of this is at the midpoint of the Tribulation. At the midpoint of the Tribulation, the Antichrist will throw the great whore that has been riding on his back, or in other words, controlling him. This will allow the worship of him as god to be established as the new one world religion. This declaration is so important, I believe, because this angel is declaring that the time for eternal decision is upon them: Christ or Antichrist. This decision is final, and “not making” one by not accepting Christ or the mark is still choosing Antichrist. The wrath of her fornication refers to those who have persecuted the saints and followed the false religion throughout history, starting with Nimrod (the founder of Babylon and false religion) and continuing to all who have followed paganism throughout history in the Babylonian mentality of rebellion against God. They will face the wrath of God for doing this.
The Third Angel
Revelation 14:9-11 – And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
This angel is declaring eternal judgment for those who follow Antichrist. They will receive the full wrath of God. God will have given them opportunity after opportunity, yet they still reject Him. Is it any wonder He will pour out His entire wrath? Is it any wonder He will be indignant? These people that He created, loved, died for, and showed grace to will flat out reject Him and align themselves with Satan. They will become the embodiment of evil, selfishness, and pride. We see God’s judgment and wrath throughout scripture, and mostly it is diluted with grace. Not for those who would receive the mark and worship the image. They will be tormented with fire and brimstone, which speaks of Hell, and eventually the Lake of Fire. They will be in the presence of holiness during this torment. I think that those who rejected Christ in their life will have to look upon the one they rejected for eternity which will produce shame. They will have to see the God that wasn’t ashamed of them, and showed them by coming to die for them. Those men, who had too much pride, fear, and shame to believe, will suffer for these with shame for eternity. Some would have us believe that there is no Hell or eternal torment. They say that a loving God would not torment His creation. They say there is Heaven or annihilation…or even that all will go to heaven. I wish I could say that. I wish I could say that those in hell would be there for a time and be burnt up and forever forgotten. By the authority of Scripture, I can’t honestly say that. Ask any scientist and they will tell you that annihilation is physically impossible. Matter is always there whether its result is or not. Even when something decays to the point it seems like it’s completely gone, its matter is still there. The same goes for the human soul. It is always there. This is just one of many places that we see eternal judgment.
The Blessing of the Saints
Revelation 14:12-13 – Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
The saints will receive great reward for three things:
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Patience – Enduring the persecution that comes at them during this time. It won’t be just ridicule from friends and citizens, but a hunting down and execution by government and people.
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Keeping God’s commands – These are good, just people who love Christ. Jesus said in John 14:15, “if you love me you will keep my commandments”. These faithful men and women do, and will pay the price for it.
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Faith in Jesus – They will remain steadfast to death.
These saints describe here are all the Tribulation martyrs. They not only die in the Lord, but for the Lord. Their reward is rest and eternal reward. Rest from their labors is true peace. That their works will follow them shows that they, as martyrs and people who remained faithful in the worst period of history, will receive a special reward. This confirms Jesus’ command to work for eternal rewards that can’t be taken or destroyed (Matthew 6:20).
The Harvest of the Earth
Revelation 14:14-20 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped. And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.
This is a prediction of Armageddon, and the other battles that will happen on the Great Day of God Almighty. A sickle is an instrument used for harvesting and represents judgment. The harvest is ripe because the earth is ready for its final judgment. The clusters of the vine are unbelievers. The winepress of the wrath of God is his wrath poured out full strength as it is described above.
We will study this more in depth when we reach the full description and timing of this battle. But here, the message is clear; from this point until the end, God’s wrath will be fully seen and felt by the beast and his followers. Those who don’t though, will receive eternal reward and blessings for their faithfulness.
Until next time…God Bless!
Free By Christ 